NewsDesk @bactiman63

With the reporting of 1190 additional dengue cases since Sunday this week, the cumulative dengue total in Singapore this year has reached 14,321 cases.

Aedes aegypti/CDC

The National Environment Agency (NEA) says the weekly number of  dengue cases is expected to rise and hit another historical peak, surpassing the highest weekly figure of 1,787 cases seen in 2020, and may even exceed 2,000 in the month of June, which is just the beginning of the traditional peak dengue season.

As of 6 June 2022, there are 408 active dengue clusters, with 122 dengue clusters with red colour alert (i.e. cluster with 10 or more cases). Dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3) has been detected in 111 of the 122 dengue clusters with red colour alert. In April 2022, the Aedes aegypti mosquito population (the primary dengue vector) remained high in Singapore, and was about 22 per cent higher than in the same period last year (April 2021).

The high Aedes aegypti mosquito population, together with circulation of the previously uncommon DENV-3, will lead to a further surge in dengue cases in the coming months.

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NEA urges all individuals and premises owners to take urgent action to break disease transmission, by removing stagnant water and potential mosquito breeding habitats by doing the Mozzie Wipeout ‘B-L-O-C-K’ steps regularly:

‘B-L-O-C-K’ steps
Break up hardened soil
Lift and empty flowerpot plates
Overturn pails and wipe their rims
Change water in vases
Keep roof gutters clear and place BTI insecticide inside

Those planning to go on vacation during the June school holidays should mosquito-proof their homes before they travel, by carrying out the following mosquito prevention measures:

  • Cover all toilet bowls in the home
  • Seal the overflow pipe of the flushing cistern
  • Cover and seal all floor traps
  • Add sand granular insecticide to areas where stagnant water cannot be easily removed
  • Clear blockages and place Bti insecticide in roof gutters
  • Turn over all water storage containers and wipe dry the rims
  • Ask a relative or close friend to check your home regularly for stagnant water, if you are going away for a long period of time
  • Leave your contact details with your neighbour(s) or the neighbourhood police post/centre, so that you can be easily contacted

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